The long awaited Elevation Place will open in Canmore in 2013. The municipal complex, which cost $39 million, will offer an aquatic center, fitness rooms, climbing gym, meeting space and a library. Since the center may only be accessed by Railway Avenue, it will also bring an increase in traffic.

As of yet there are no traffic signals at said corner, which means longer waits for those wanting to turn left into the complex. It is expected that the traffic lights at Railway and Main Street, and Railway at the Bow Valley Trail will help somewhat.

The Town of Canmore decided against putting new lights at the center entrance. They were considered, but it was thought another set of lights would make things even more complicated because of the nearness of the other two lighted intersections. Andy Esarte, manager of that city’s engineering services, noted that a pedestrian crossing, signal controlled, some 75 meters southwest of Elevation Place would give pedestrians a safe access route.

Esarte did note that cars turning left into Elevation Place would not have an easy time of it, and that solutions would be looked at in the future. That future may come sooner than expected, since the city has already heard complaints from an Esso Station across from Elevation Place. No doubt other businesses will chime in about the difficulty faced by drivers as they try to enter the complex.